Today's leaders are nearly spent. Many of our priests, parents, teachers, healthcare workers, and business leaders are pushed to do more with fewer resources. When will it end? While it may be tempting to turn to a book like Lamentations for a dose of consolation, if we listen carefully to the entire text, the scripture warns us through poetry crafted to break our hearts of stone. Rather than lamenting the destruction of that which is temporary and built by our own hands, the biblical writer lam...
Jan 08, 2022•11 min•Ep. 47
Blessed Feast of the Nativity and of the Circumcision of Our Lord Jesus Christ on this new year's day, 2022! This week's podcast remembers those who have led by example. The best leaders on the path of righteousness lead not by their own examples, relying on their own strength and resources. Instead they point to the Lord's instruction and examples of obedience, like the Theotokos who responded, "I am the Lord's servant. Be it unto me according to thy word!" (Luke 1:38) May the prayer of 2022 be...
Jan 01, 2022•15 min•Ep. 46
Who among us doesn't like a bit of recognition, a pat on the back for effort and a job well done? Fr. Timothy Lowe emphasizes the relational aspects of trust and mercy as he unfolds the ego-busting lesson in Luke's gospel. "So you also, when you have done all that is commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy servants; we've only done what was our duty.'" (Luke 17:10) Ultimately, it's not just about doing the basics, but about going the extra mile.
Dec 11, 2021•26 min•Ep. 45
Many of us have comfortable lives, presumably made possible through sacrifice and hard work. We applaud young David, seeing him deserving of the King's throne because he faced Goliath bravely and worked hard as a shepherd. And like David, it's possible that the comfort of power and possession once positioned, blinds us to our own destructive force of entitlement. King David failed to recognize that with more power comes more responsibility. Fortunately for us, we have the opportunity to learn fr...
Dec 04, 2021•18 min•Ep. 44
Do we professing Christians today face the same discomfort and conviction experienced by the Rich Young Ruler who is told to sell all that he has and give to the poor and follow Jesus? Like the rich ruler, do we lack trust in the commandments we profess to keep? The story of the Rich Young Ruler immediately follows the scene of Jesus calling the little children to him. He takes the moment to teach, "Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” (Luke 18:17) Depend...
Nov 20, 2021•18 min•Ep. 43
The story of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples is unique to the Gospel of John and replaces the Eucharistic element expressed in the other Gospels. Jesus demonstrates that unity in love and compassion is essential within the leadership hierarchy for the witness of the gospel. He instructs His disciples to behave according to the Gospel message they carry, urging them "to wash one another's feet." Fr. Timothy Lowe, former Rector of the Tantur Ecumenical Institute in Jerusalem, exegetes John...
Nov 13, 2021•21 min•Ep. 42
What does the Bible say about teamwork? The Apostle Paul teaches in his letter to the Galatians to "Bear one another's burdens," and that "each must bear his own load." For servant leaders the responsibility goes way beyond sharing the load equally.
Nov 06, 2021•19 min•Ep. 41
Dr. Michael Sider-Rose and Kyra Limberakis share their hopes for the new Orthodox Volunteer Corps , modeled by Jesus's interaction with the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well where Jesus offers water welling up to eternal life. Inspired by Jesus who challenged divisions between the Jews and Samaritans and their toil for what they might build or earn by the work of their own hands, the Orthodox Volunteer Corps invites communal living across jurisdictional divisions, seeking to be sustained by the fo...
Oct 30, 2021•22 min•Ep. 40
"You scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours. . ." Isn't this the way we typically operate in our leadership responsibilities? Why do we work harder to impress the boss and wealthy clients and slack when surrounded by lower-level employees and customers who appear less important? Are we motivated to perform only for those who can help us get ahead? In this week's episode, the epistle of James challenges those who would serve and lead in the Lord's household to "show no partiality," with the remi...
Oct 23, 2021•18 min•Ep. 39
Winston Churchill once said, "I love learning, but hate being taught." Just how grateful are we to receive instruction or correction? It's easy to feel defensive, misunderstood, or even abused when we hear criticism. This week's episode is Part 3 of "Speaking the truth in love," and explores the receiving end - hearing the truth. And even when the criticism seems ungodly and spoken not in love, it is a kairos - an opportunity to submit to your neighbor as you would in deference to the Lord....
Oct 16, 2021•22 min•Ep. 38
Have you ever worked for someone who had trouble confronting a difficult employee? Perhaps you've noticed yourself avoiding conflict by working extra long and hard to cover someone who is stealing energy and productivity from the team. What do you say? How do you say it? Is humility the same as avoiding conflict? This week's episode continues the study of Ephesians 4:25-32 and the responsibility we have as "members one of another" to speak the truth in love even when we would rather avoid the co...
Oct 09, 2021•23 min•Ep. 37
If you have someone on your team or in your charge who is not performing well, how do you speak the truth in love? This week's episode reminds us that St. Paul's epistle offers the truth, spoken from Christ the head, and through His word we are bound together as a body. Speaking the truth in love is not about finding the courage to express your honest opinion nor to post your personal truth online. It's about having the humility to bow your head before the Lord, hearing and repeating His truth i...
Oct 02, 2021•18 min•Ep. 36
Who doesn't love a good deal? But is anything of value truly free? The Apostle Paul reminds us of the law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain." St. Paul continues to teach in the first letter to the Corinthians in the same way, "the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel." While the Lord provides the gospel free of charge, it comes with a charge. Roll up your sleeves, there's work to be done treading out the gra...
Sep 18, 2021•21 min•Ep. 35
Failing to attend to the Lord's instruction to "Do nothing from selfishness or conceit," becomes even more pronounced when we attend to the business of persuading others: "You should hire me because . . ." "You should promote me because . . ." "You should buy my product or service because . . ." "What Scripture is telling you is that you're exploiting your neighbor, and you're under judgment. So proceed with caution, because the Lord is coming. If we can just learn to be honest with ourselves ab...
Sep 11, 2021•25 min•Ep. 34
If you are have been asked to serve on parish council or if you feel unprepared to make a meaningful contribution to any non-profit board, this episode is for you. An interview with Fr. Ian Pac-Urar, director of Continuing Education for the OCA, explores some of the topics addressed in Boot Camp for Parish Councils and Non-Profit Boards. Service is the emphasis of servant leadership within the Lord's household as we serve His instruction in the context of parish council. Service shapes recruitme...
Sep 04, 2021•24 min•Ep. 33
In this week's episode, Bethany Geleris, a candidate for the Doctorate in Nursing Practice from UCSF, shares how her research and work in mentoring for advanced practice providers contributed to MNTR ( M entoring and N urturing T ransformative R elationships) for Christian communities. Bethany provides insights into how mentoring within a Christian community fosters a sense of belonging and purpose. Through intentional development, MNTR challenges people to move beyond their comfort zones, growi...
Aug 28, 2021•20 min•Ep. 32
Fr. Kosmas Kallis, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago, suggests that the "Come and See" model of Orthodox ministry lacks the call to action to move outside the walls of the Church.
Aug 21, 2021•22 min•Ep. 31
"It is time for the Lord to act," is the psalm verse invoked at the start of every liturgy. It's a beautiful yet ominous way for the liturgy to begin because the entire verse account is, "It is time for the Lord to act, because your law has been broken." (Ps. 119:126) Fr. Marc reminds us that we don't gather around God and call for His action. God is the one who gathers His scripture around us and surrounds us with His instruction because we have broken His law. It is the same Word that creates,...
Aug 14, 2021•14 min•Ep. 30
Have you ever endured a pointless or even painfully contentious meeting? Dn. Michael Hyatt, author of No Fail Meetings shares how you can make your meetings more engaging and productive by: First asking whether a meeting is even needed Preparing and time-boxing your agenda Following up with task owners recorded in minutes Creating a safe environment for dissent Ensuring alignment over agreement...
Aug 07, 2021•19 min•Ep. 29
What does money have to do with salvation? Isn't the whole-burnt offering an archaic, wasteful practice? Can tithing be understood as a Church tax? Isn't almsgiving simply giving a few spare coins to one in need? Shouldn't parish fundraising use a ministry-centric approach? An interview with Dr. Andrew Geleris, author of the forthcoming book Money and Salvation: An Invitation to the Good Way, challenges many of these notions after his study of Scripture challenged him....
Jul 31, 2021•26 min•Ep. 28
As servants in the household of God, we are called to "always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence." (1 Peter 3:15) Fr. Timothy Hojnicki, instructor of apologetics at the St. Raphael School, shares how he equips his high school students with the deposit of faith so that they can make a good defense when asked. Rather than merely winning an argument, he stresses the importance of dialogue and respect...
Jul 24, 2021•17 min•Ep. 27
Although women are not ordained in the Orthodox Church, many of them are hearkening God's call to serve - as chaplains, scholars, diplomats, mothers, teachers, leaders of parish boards and ministries, and in many other roles. Dr. Patricia Fann Bouteneff, founder of Axia Women, shares in this episode what they are learning about parish support of women across the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox traditions. Recalling the Myrrh Bearing Women, they strive to care for the body of Christ and receive and...
Jul 17, 2021•22 min•Ep. 26
IF YOU CARE ABOUT . . . Developing emerging leaders within the body of Christ Christian mentoring Collaborative intergenerational ministry Mutual learning and listening to understand generational perspectives Succession planning for your church and nonprofit boards or staff Early-life transitions such as college and vocation Changing the fear-based narratives around "The Church is losing its youth!" to explore hopeful possibilities Responding well to cultural and social changes Networking with o...
Jul 10, 2021•26 min•Ep. 25
Professional coaches, Dn. Sean Reid and Fr. Paul Lundberg, share how non-judgmental curiosity and powerful questions help their clients move forward with confidence and clarity. They share how coaching in an Orthodox Christian context could serve priests and lay leaders who are facing situations where: Hopes do not align with reality Confidence is wavering Responsibilities feel overwhelming Life feels lack-luster Fr. Paul reminds us how submitting to the Lord's will addresses any situation. " Sa...
Jul 03, 2021•22 min•Ep. 24
Rev. Dr. John Panagiotou, author of The Path to Oikonomia with Jesus Christ as Our Lighthouse, shares a powerful framework for stewardship that arises from the Old and New Testaments as well as patristic and liturgical writings. He discusses: "The love of money is the root of all evils" (1 Tim. 6:10) The difference between stewards and volunteers What we've earned versus what the Lord provides The connection between stewardship and the liturgical life Fr. John's book is a resource used in Inspir...
Jun 26, 2021•15 min•Ep. 23
Sometimes we are limited by our own blind spots to function well in the work and ministries we do. Fr. Elias Dorham reminds us of St. Paul's words, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (Rom. 12:2) When a coach challenged him with a tough question before ordination, Fr. Elias realized that his own professional career path was not truly aligned to what he espoused as a baptized Christian. Now as a coach, he helps his clients move out of their comfor...
Jun 19, 2021•22 min•Ep. 22
Just as Christ asked Peter, "Who do you say that I am?" a trained coach asks powerful questions to help parish leaders clarify their values, priorities, and next steps. Fr. Barnabas recalls a sermon to "know thyself" and acknowledges that fear or arrogance protects one from being discovered. "Coaching helped me get behind the curtain and to better know myself . . . to know my strengths and weaknesses and to avoid stumbling over stuff that catches me by surprise, even in my own heart." Dean Harbr...
Jun 12, 2021•25 min•Ep. 21
Thomaida Hudanish, Director of Missions and Evangelism for the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco, explores keychain leadership - a concept developed in Growing Young by Kara Powell, et al. Key-less leaders may be young or inexperienced who strive to prove their worth in possessing keys in order to gain authority or access. Key-hoarding leaders run the show and refuse to give others access and share responsibility. Key-loaning leaders reluctantly or temporarily loan keys to others and th...
Jun 05, 2021•22 min•Ep. 20
Does your parish council regularly ask, "How do we get more people to come and get involved?" Anna Caraveli suggests turning the question outside-in and ask instead, "How can we understand and connect to what matters most to people? How can we attend to the struggles of our people and serve them?" Learn more about Anna's research in organizational health and how it applies to churches with respect to Leading from the outside in How processes should link to vision Replacing tactical thinking with...
May 29, 2021•21 min•Ep. 19
Does your parish council resign itself merely to bills, budgets, and buildings? Or does your church board inspire vision rooted in Christ? Based on extensive parish development practice and consulting, Joe Kormos shares many useful suggestions to function as a more effective parish board, including: Regular Parish Health Assessments Seriously asking, "Do we want to be made well?" (John 5:6) Intentional narrowed focus on few initiatives Committing to a Parish Council Covenant Utilizing consent ag...
May 22, 2021•26 min•Ep. 18
